AT&T Wireless is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T and was formerly known as Cingular Wireless. Headquartered just outside of Atlanta, GA, it offers cellular and data services across the U.S. It the second largest wireless communications service provider in the country after Verizon.
Compared to other big-name cell phone providers, AT&T has some of the best prices for talk and text cell phone services.
AT&T offers a barebones phone plan to customers starting at just $30/line per month (when you enroll in monthly credit card or bank AutoPay). This is a great non-contract option for customers who want a basic phone plan with minimal data (1 GB). This is also a great product because customers can get unlimited text and voice at a price that undercuts both contract and non-contract competitors.
Customers who want unlimited data also have some good options with AT&T's unlimited plans. Data plans are on the pricier side but include good network coverage and ample entertainment benefits.
Starting at $40/line per month, you get unlimited talk minutes, text, and data at 4G LTE speeds in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as well as 480p DVD quality video streaming (max of 1.5 Mbps) and access to 35+ live TV channels.
The carrier's top Premium plan includes even more entertainment options: a choice of one complimentary membership with HBO, Cinemax, Pandora Premium, or a number of other entertainment services.
AT&T offers both non-contract prepaid cell phone plans and contract cell phone services and is clear as to differences between what each plan includes.
AT&T provides a SIM card for users with older iPhones and Android phones if you want to bring your own device. With these SIM cards, phone users can continue to use their phone for a little bit while longer if they don't have the money to purchase a new phone. Or, they can purchase any unlocked phone to use on the AT&T network.
In addition to Windows phones and Android phones, customers can buy phones with the Amazon Fire operating system, allowing them to enjoy their eBooks and apps purchased through Amazon.
Additionally, AT&T also sells other devices that can be managed with the cellular plan, including:
AT&T has tablets available that support Windows 8, Apple iOS, Android, and the Fire OS by Amazon.
AT&T offers a number of different mobile hotspots, including the AT&T Unite Pro. This device has up to sixteen hours of power and lets you boost the battery life of your smartphone. The Unite Pro also lets clients share an Internet connection with up to fifteen devices. Several of AT&T's plans include mobile hotspot data usage, including the Unlimited3 plan which allows up to 10 GB of 4G LTE data with mobile hotspot.
AT&T reviews bring to light concerns stemming from the contract service and the overage fees.
While the pay-as-you-go plans are subject to data throttling, there is a service fee of $15 per GB that a client goes over their monthly data quota. Other customers have complained about the slowness of the network when they start using a lot of data on their monthly-unlimited plan.
Other customers take issue with AT&T's customer service, network coverage, and pricing.
AT&T Wireless offers contract and plan flexibility to customers by including both contract and non-contract services. It has some of the best entry-level plans in the industry along with a wide variety of phones and other devices to choose from.
AT&T Wireless has one of the most diverse offerings of mobile hotspots, with one brand that is able to support up to fifteen devices. There are also battery backup options on most of the mobile hotspots for smartphones that may need a quick battery boost.
In order to get the most out of your data plan, make sure you have purchased the appropriate monthly data plan for your needs. If you start getting towards the end of your data quota, you may find that your data plan is being throttled.
Star Rating
1,174 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
Jackie Hanko
Through all my years of having a cell phone I’ve never had an issue with AT&T… I currently have a Rison only because I am under my sisters plan but prior to that I wasn’t AT&T customer for many years and I never had any issues and my family continues to use AT&T and I never hear any issues from them… I believe the AT&T and Verizon do you have the best service and it doesn’t seem to matter where you go you will always have service it doesn’t go out in any specific black out area which is very comforting to know especially if your car is going to break down or you’re scared it’s good to know that you can rely on AT&T
Steve Ashby
I've been on AT&T for many years on personal and corporate cell planes and they have always been good. Corporate is a little difficult to get help with as they want you to always go through your plan owner in the company, and in a big company that one person can be difficult to track down.
AT&T's review score is 6.7% lower than the average review score of the top recommended Cell Phone Providers Company
Jazmin
I have had AT&T for 10 years and I have no complains. Service is great and customer service is always very helpful.
Wayne De Field
What I like about this company is they have good plans for decent fees, what I don’t like is there resolution to problems with bought services. They have passed me over to many different departments during figuring out problems, it seems like they want you to give up...?
Bhupendra Rana
The call center misleads customer and they try to overcharge customers for every given opportunity. For same thing you have to follow up multiple times.
Stephanie
I am currently with AT&T and love the service that I receive I get a lot of bang for my buck
Michael Byrd
Great reliable service. Never had a dropped call. Great customer service. Good quality for your money.
Enid Loera
Amazing payment plans good service nation wide great for hotspot and amazing customer service
Phoenicia Cloud
They have one of the best service areas but the customer service is not the most pleasant. It seams as though they do not focus in the customer but rather the payment from the customer. I had over good experiences with the service and my phone itself has not had any problems.
dhab
Quality network where we needed it! Not everywhere you want it to be but getting better. The overall maps form all the phone companies are not detailed enough to truely know the coverage in your home/town - but when we had a issue AT&T offered to provide a booster at very low cost.
Ski
I love AT&T, They have awesome customer service. Also I had their service for almost 5 years and wish I would have never switch.
Ruby Powell
Been with AT&T for 20 years, and they have always went above and beyond to help me out.
Kyle Bucher
Solid service, and a wide network. It may not be the biggest bandwidth you'll find, but it does work nearly everywhere, and reliably so.
Tatyana Chernyak
Really good service , just as good as verizon but also expensive. I would definitely recommend.
Brendon Haacke
I’ve had AT&T while living in Las Vegas and Boise. Service is excellent in LV, but only ‘pretty good’ in Boise. Need more and newer, updated towers to make it top-notch. Despite being only pretty good, I have no dropped calls or issues with phone calls. It’s the spotty LTE network that could use the most updating. Overall, satisfied with my service.
James
I have been with ATT for 20+ years and can't recall having had any reception issues in my travels through out the states.
GN
Being the first wireless company to offer the iPhone was AT&T's smartest move. After that benefit went away, rollover minutes were a nice touch. Now days, these are not really benefits, but are the bare minimum expectations from wireless providers and AT&T has been playing catch up to companies like T-mobile to win back customer satisfaction. The taxes and fees on my bill were always high and obscure, but I have since found simpler and more cost effective billing elsewhere.
Michael Curole
Crappy phones! Incompetent technical support! Ridiculous troubleshooting protocols! My mom had a Doro AT&T phone for 2 years and it started failing. Understandable. I Bought a new Doro AT&T phone with new sim and it started locking up within days, several times, requiring a battery pull to reset. Finally call tech support and they spend hours wiping the phone, wiping the sim, then telling me to wait for days for a new AT&T sim or go to Target and buy a new AT&T sim. I go to Target and get a new AT&T sim. Call tech support back and it fails just the same. They say go to Target buy a TMobile sim. Supervisor PLEASE! He reads from the screen and says that is the protocol. Crazy! We have been using AT&T sim on the old phone, the new phone as well as having AT&T service with myself, my wife, and kids with no issues. I am driving all over town, buying new sim after new sim so they don't have to replace a 45 day old $50 phone. I haven't even paid the bill on the phone yet and cant get a replacement. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! Imagine your 83 year old mom trying to get her phone to work.
Olga Valladares
Love them! Our bill went from over 250.00 with cox to 138.00 a month with ATT ...
Tracey
cost is too much in my opinion but the service has been great. customer service is nice as well. my only complaint would be the cost but overall all phone companies are ridiculous when its not prepaid
Kara Thompson
a very reliable phone service, no matter where im at i can make a call i rarely loose service. i never dread going into an at&t store and have never had problems. customer service is nice and willing to help every time iv called or been there i have had at&t since my first phone and still to this day love it.
Penny Kenly
Have had AT&T for several years and they keep going higher and higher on the coat and I email and chat and talk to them and tell them that I need the cheapest plan and it keeps going up and I put complaints in and it doesnt help and their explanations dont make any sense and I would like to get rid of them but cant yet!
Diane W
Customer service OK, WiFi can be very annoying and intermittent and there’s no reason this should happen in your own house! Other than that, am very satisfied with their service and enjoy their customer service.
Cassandra Slatton
I did not have a good experience when I was a customer with AT&T. Their products and network quality were fine; albeit a bit over priced for what I was receiving, but the real problem came with their customer service. The employees at the local store were awful. The wait time was always exceptionally long, even if I was the only one there. The employees were rude and super unhelpful if you had any issues. It’s ultimately the reason I switched carriers.
Keisha P Robles
Good coverage but horrible customer service. I have called few times customer service and end up calling at least 3 Times to get a resolution
Cam Tu Le
I like the customer service they nice but the one thing I don’t like waiting to long
Stella Roberts
Let you make a payment arrangement they will go crazy. Long service calls people don’t know what they’re doing my opinion trash.
Jasmine Tsai Drobnicki
So far, no issues. Data has never been slow, only a few places where the signal is weak.
Terry Wingate
I have had attt for several years never had a problem. Their always courteous over the phone when I have issues that addressed.
Dr. San Tosh
Service and coverage was good. Little pricey for the service I got, comparatively got a better deal. I switched to prepaid, no-contract monthly subscription, which was awesome. Most of the telephone companies postpaid/contract services are bogus. Good costumer service.
GarryG
Good reliable service. Never any interruptions I’ve noticed. Customer service reps friendly.
Rho
Do have good reception and like the hot spot capabilities from our phone. Only concern is the price.
Bruce Shapiro
Mobile service disappointing. Any delay or slow dialing a phone number AT&T system would drop the outgoing attempt. Very frustrating ! Will not use this service again.
Mark Ailiff Jr
fantastic service always friendly customer service the service is perfect and they have tons of different services and great bundle packages to help combine everything into one easy and affordable bill
Judy Glotfelty
Lots of unsolved issues with my phone. Not all service people are well trained. Very expensive.
Evelyn Gwynn
I have been with AT&T for a very long time. I love the customer service I receive whenever I call time. I have purchased two Iphones from their stores and the staff has been so knowledgeable and friendly. Never has anyone been overbearing or forceful. Each time everything was explained to me so I could go home with my phone confident I would be able to use each.
christi H
AT&T has been my cell phone carrier for years. I find them reliable and effective. They have great customer support. I can't imagine using any other company.
Ladye Crosby
During COVID-19 things just went haywire, needing to stay connected became a priority, AT&T saved the day with their affordable program helping me to keep in touch with my loved ones. Thanks AT&T
Philip George Sikes
Poor Service, too expensive, felt like an American taxpayer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Juli
Once upon a time, AT&T served as this wonderful titan in the post-industrial world. Now it has become this bottomless epitome of corporate greed. One hand offers new potentials ‘deals’ while the other hand slaps the little people around to keep them in the relatively powerless place they need for them to be. One excellent example of this is their cell phone trial service. They offer phone trial periods, don’t tell you that the time they ship to the time you receive and activate your phone counts towards that time, don’t tell you that the time it takes for them to receive it counts, and sometimes before you even receive the phone your 2-wk trial period runs out! To add insult to injury, they kept the iPhoneX I returned in 2018, verified it was still in new condition, then have harassed me since then about the $1200 they want from me and the phone they stated they keep along w/the $1200! I have spent hours over the years trying to discuss the absurdity of their trial program, 1week shipping time to me, their insistence that they are practicing corporate ethics by demanding the phone (to sell to someone else) AND $1200. And if none of that was insulting enough, their customer service had repeatedly sent emails stating I would be refunded initially. But then they later stated that customer service was wrong. Until I saw a room full of people laughing at John Oliver’s criticism of AT$T, I never knew just how many of us had had similar experiences.
David
[email protected] offers great internet service for a reasonable price. We have not had any concerns with service interruptions or equipment failures. Highly recommended if you're looking for an efficient, reasonable internet provider.
Steve Banks Jr.
AT&T has been extremely beneficial for my family. They protect our home and we have been completely satisfied.
Betty Burke
Been a customer of AT&T for over 15 years. Nice staff. Easy bill pay. Carried them over from my work days to my retirement.
jaci finch
AT&T was my family's old cell phone provide. The network coverage is amazing, but the issue is it became far too expensive over time. My parents had an unlimited plan for years, but eventually they made them get off of it because the price was so out dated. The plan they switches to to ended up costing us over 300$ a month, especially because we often went over the small data limits. We switched to Sprint, which while the coverage is not as good as AT&T, it is easier on the pocketbook.
Tim H.
I enjoy AT&T as a cell provider but it is simply incredibly expensive. I have service in most places but ran into the issue of spotty service within my home. Surprise fees are often.
Laura Garza
Affordable and great service. I have been a customer for 5 plus years. My cable is even with, AT&T. I definitely recommend!
A. Taylor
My ATT service is through their acquisition of Cricket Mobile. The coverage is as good as any I've ever experienced. The plans are straight forward, all encompassing, reliable and very cost effective. High quality and dependability have been hallmarks of this service. I highly recommend it.
Karen Moss
My service has been wonderful. The representatives I have dealt with were always nice.
Matt Markin
Best experience I had was borrowing a friend from the Army's phone because his was set up properly and the one that I have now that is used is Network locked and after asking for 3 network unlock codes it says code incorrect every time so you might as well have your baby brother working the phones! But the service is top-notch in spotty areas just as Verizon is!
Rose Raucci
I have been a customer of AT&T for many years. I feel that the rates are reasonable and whenever I need customer service the accessibility through the app is helpful and informative. I rarely have network issues with wireless or internet connection.